Pickleball in Holly Tree Racquet Club: Mike Harms, a prospective new owner, is planning to transform Wilmington’s Holly Tree Racquet Club into a multifaceted sports facility. The new establishment, to be called The Club at Midtown, will feature 12 outdoor and 15 indoor pickleball courts, a simulated golf driving range, an upgraded swimming pool, and a restaurant. Harms is under contract to purchase the existing 5.5-acre property along with an adjacent 2-acre wooded tract. The Wilmington Planning Commission will consider a rezoning request for the project next month.
Pickleball: The Sport of the Future
Harms, who has long contemplated bringing such a facility to Wilmington, sees pickleball as the driving force behind his plans. “It’s the No. 1 growing sport in America,” he stated, emphasizing pickleball’s growing popularity compared to tennis. The facility aims to capitalize on this trend, offering state-of-the-art pickleball amenities alongside traditional tennis courts and a swimming pool.
Innovations and Community Pushback
The development plans also include a simulated golf driving range on the adjacent property, which will utilize advanced technology to track player stats and simulate courses. However, the project has faced opposition from current Holly Tree Racquet Club members, who voiced concerns at a June community meeting. “They don’t want to see the tennis courts go away, and they don’t think that they should be converted to pickleball courts,” said Sam Potter, a partner with Equitas Law Partners, who will represent Harms in the rezoning request.
Next Steps and Project Timeline
The rezoning request, set for review on Sept. 4, is crucial for the proposed driving range. Still, Potter clarified that the pickleball conversion could proceed without zoning changes. Despite opposition, Harms is moving forward with the project, which is expected to unfold in two phases. The first phase, including the outdoor pickleball courts, tennis courts, golf range, and pool upgrades, is slated for completion by spring. The indoor pickleball facility and clubhouse will follow six months later.
News in Brief: Pickleball in Holly Tree Racquet Club
Mike Harms plans to convert Wilmington’s Holly Tree Racquet Club into The Club at Midtown, featuring 27 pickleball courts, a simulated golf driving range, and a restaurant. The Wilmington Planning Commission will review a rezoning request for the project on Sept. 4. Current club members have voiced opposition to the changes, particularly the conversion of tennis courts to pickleball. Despite this, Harms intends to proceed, with the first phase of the project, including outdoor courts and a golf range, expected to open this spring.
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